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Unstrips Test Strips For LifeScan Onetouch Ultra Meter A new Generic in market

It almost seems that a new era of alternative test strips and
other "basic" diabetes products has hit. It's a sign of the times,
really, as big-name brands are hurting because of Medicare competitive bidding
changes that are limiting access to pricier products in favor of more
economical options -- giving producers of generics a fresh entry point into the
market.

Last week, a company called UniStrip Technologies announced
availability of a new FDA-approved generic test strip, and at the same time, we
got word that the green-coloredGenStrip
alternative test stripwe reported on in late 2012 is ramping
up marketing after some courtroom successes against Johnson and Johnson's
family of LifeScan and OneTouch glucose meters (yes, they were being sued for
patent infringement).

On top of that, we learned that the
company behind the GenStrip is now developing its own new all-inclusive
wireless glucose meter that has strips, a lancet and smartphone app
connectivity all weaved into one device, called theDiscretion.

These simplified products offer affordability, but perhaps a
trade-off in terms of quality of care... We looked into all three to
bring you the scoop.

Note that these two new brands of generic strips work with some
of the best-selling meter models made by LifeScan:

Questioning the New
UniStrip

In early April, a new UniStrip
generic made its way to the U.S. market after snaggingFDA approvalin November.

Developed by newly formed North Carolina-basedUniStrip Technologies, they work with
the LifeScan OneTouch Ultra family of meters -- but ONLY those made and/or
purchased before Oct. 2012, according to the FDA approval statement for this
generic strip.

CEO Rick Admani is the man behind
UniStrip Technologies. He also happens to be the chief operating officer ofProdigy Diabetes Carethat makes the talking glucose meter for the vision impaired and
other "off-brand" glucose meters. Admani tells us the two companies
are legally separate entities and not related, despite his executive role at
both, and the fact that they are located within just 7 miles of each other in
North Carolina, share the same general counsel andFDA consultantwho applied for regulatory approval of products, and they both
use the same marketing agent.

Oh, and the fact that both outsource
manufacturing to Taiwan-based OK BioTech -- a manufacturer thatpurchased a minority stake in Prodigya year ago.

Why does any of that matter? Well,
patient advocates like those behindStripSafelymeter accuracy campaign and others in the Diabetes Community
have been quite vocal with criticisms of Prodigy products due to some struggles
with the FDA over the past year or so, most recently with theFDA calling outa Prodigy meter as being less accurate than others on the market
and attachingunique and never-before-seenlabeling requirements to a product approval.

So, if this same company putting out
questionable quality is now making generic strips, that's something we
consumers need to be aware of -- even if the concerns have been addressed and
signed off on by regulators, whichProdigy says they have. You be the judge. But honestly to
us, customer trust has been compromised here...

Despite that
controversy, Admani insists that UniStrip generics are as accurate if not more
accurate than leading brand-name products. He says UniStrips meet both the
existing FDA rules and also the 2013-enacted ISO guidelines. His company is
also engaged in regular conversation with LifeScan, he says, and even revised
its generic strip packaging some to appease the big manufacturer and ward off
any potential litigation.

Admani tells us they're also developing at least three more
UniStrip generics to work with other meters, beyond just the J&J brands.

"We're the new player, and so of course we're the ones that
the big manufacturers are going to raise questions about," he said.
"But this is a new change in this diabetes world, and it feels like we're
going to see more new generic strips. It's going to change the game."

Of course, this isn't the first alternative test strip to make
headlines...

Cost:
The popular models in the Ratings were priced from $19.00 and Up , but don’t just shop for the price, look for options And check to see whether a monitor is fits your need.
Easy To use
Make sure that the display on the monitor is easy to read and understand and that the buttons are big enough. The directions for [...]

Glucose Lancets And Lancet Device
The new device to improve the accuracy of blood glucose measurements with glucose-oxidase reagent strips is described. The device ensures that an adequate amount of blood is applied onto the reagent pad when the strip is fully inserted. When the strip is withdrawn, the pad is automatically wiped, and so the [...]

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